Yunus Kaya

Stepwise technique for accurate and unique retrieval of electromagnetic properties of bianisotropic metamaterials

Metamaterials (MMs) are artificial materials that have received attention recently because their built-in features create collective electromagnetic effects that are otherwise impossible, such as negative refraction, and because of their exotic electromagnetic applications, namely, perfect lens and invisibility cloaks. Depending on wave propagation characteristics, MMs possessing normally weak magneto-electric coupling coefficients start to exhibit stronger bianisotropic effects. Therefore, accurate electromagnetic characterization of these MMs is important. In this study, we adapt a stepwise method based on the Nicolson–Ross–Weir technique for accurate and unique retrieval of electromagnetic properties of bianisotropic MM slabs. For this goal, we have derived explicit expressions for unique retrieval of electromagnetic properties of these slabs and compared these expressions with those in the literature in the retrieval process. From the comparison, we note that derived expressions are appropriate for unique determination of electromagnetic properties of bianisotropic MM slabs. In the performance analysis of the stepwise method for different measurement scenarios, we considered different bianisotropic MM cell configurations (split-ring and Omega-shaped resonators as well as the same resonators with wire strips) and extracted their electromagnetic properties when measured/simulated scattering parameters have some thermal noise. We note that for most of the frequencies, the stepwise method retrieves correct electromagnetic properties even when a relatively higher normally distributed noise with zero mean value and with standard deviations of 0.015 is present. In addition to the influence of thermal noise on performance of the stepwise method, we also analyzed the effect of both increasing length slab and the frequency band on retrieved electromagnetic properties of the analyzed various bianisotropic MM slabs.

RESOLVING PHASE AMBIGUITY IN THE INVERSE PROBLEM OF REFLECTION-ONLY MEASUREMENT METHODS

We have applied the phase unwrapping technique to resolve the phase ambiguity problem arising from complex expressions of scattering parameters, for re∞ection-only measurement conflgurations, since, at some instances, only one side of the sample under test is accessible for electromagnetic measurements. We considered two difierent measurement conflgurations for testing the applicability of the phase unwrapping technique as: 1) two identical samples with difierent lengths ∞ushed by a short-circuit termination and 2) one sample shorted by a varying short-circuit termination. For each measurement conflguration, the underlying expressions for the re∞ection scattering parameters are derived. For both cases, we evaluated the suitability of the phase unwrapping technique by considering a highly-dispersive medium (distilled water) as our test sample. We note that continuity of the real part of the complex wavelength is a key issue in the unwrapping technique for (one-port) re∞ection-only measurements.

RETRIEVAL OF EFFECTIVE ELECTROMAGNETIC PARAMETERS OF ISOTROPIC METAMATERIALS USING REFERENCE-PLANE INVARIANT EXPRESSIONS

Three difierent techniques are applied for accurate constitutive parameters determination of isotropic split-ring resonator (SRR) and SRR with a cut wire (Composite) metamaterial (MM) slabs. The flrst two techniques use explicit analytical calibration- dependent and calibration-invariant expressions while the third technique is based on Lorentz and Drude dispersion models. We have tested these techniques from simulated scattering (S-) parameters of two classic SRR and Composite MM slabs with various level of losses and difierent calibration plane factors. From the comparison, we conclude that whereas the extracted complex permittivity of both slabs by the analytical techniques produces unphysical results at resonance regions, that by the dispersion model eliminates this shortcoming and retrieves physically accurate constitutive parameters over the whole analyzed frequency region. We argue that incorrect retrieval of complex permittivity by analytical methods comes from spatial dispersion efiects due to the discreteness of conducting elements within MM slabs which largely vary simulated S-parameters in the resonance regions where the slabs are highly spatially dispersive.

Differential uncertainty analysis for evaluating the accuracy of S-parameter retrieval methods for electromagnetic properties of metamaterial slabs

We apply a complete uncertainty analysis, not studied in the literature, to investigate the dependences of retrieved electromagnetic properties of two MM slabs (the first one with only split-ring resonators (SRRs) and the second with SRRs and a continuous wire) with single-band and dual-band resonating properties on the measured/simulated scattering parameters, the slab length, and the operating frequency. Such an analysis is necessary for the selection of a suitable retrieval method together with the correct examination of exotic properties of MM slabs especially in their resonance regions. For this analysis, a differential uncertainty model is developed to monitor minute changes in the dependent variables (electromagnetic properties of MM slabs) in functions of independent variables (scattering (S-) parameters, the slab length, and the operating frequency). Two complementary approaches (the analytical approach and the dispersion model approach) each with different strengths are utilized to retrieve the electromagnetic properties of various MM slabs, which are needed for the application of the uncertainty analysis. We note the following important results from our investigation. First, uncertainties in the retrieved electromagnetic properties of the analyzed MM slabs drastically increase when values of electromagnetic properties shrink to zero or near resonance regions where S-parameters exhibit rapid changes. Second, any low-loss or medium-loss inside the MM slabs due to an imperfect dielectric substrate or a finite conductivity of metals can decrease these uncertainties near resonance regions because these losses hinder abrupt changes in S-parameters. Finally, we note that precise information of especially the slab length and the operating frequency is a prerequisite for accurate analysis of exotic electromagnetic properties of MM slabs (especially multiband MM slabs) near resonance regions.

Determination of Reference-Plane Invariant, Thickness-Independent, and Broadband Constitutive Parameters of Thin Materials

We propose an effective microwave method for reference-plane-invariant and thickness-independent constitutive parameters measurement of thin materials. A function depending only on the interface reflection coefficient to facilitate fast computations of constitutive parameters is derived. In addition to the extraction of sample thickness, the method can also be applied to unique retrieval of constitutive parameters whose electromagnetic properties are yet unknown. We have performed an uncertainty analysis to examine how the accuracy of the method can be improved. Finally, we have compared the proposed method with other similar methods in the literature using measurements of distilled water and a thinner Plexiglas sample (1 mm). From the comparison, we note that the accuracy of our proposed method is not affected by any inaccurate knowledge of reference-plane positions and the sample length (or both) while those of compared methods are seriously decreased.

Microwave method for reference-plane-invariant and thickness-independent permittivity determination of liquid materials.

An attractive transmission-reflection method based on reference-plane invariant and thickness-independent expressions has been proposed for accurate and unique retrieval of complex permittivity of dielectric liquid samples. The method uses both branch-index-independent expressions and a restricted solution set for determining unique and fast complex permittivities. A 2D graphical method has been applied to demonstrate the operation and validation of the proposed method. A uncertainty analysis has been performed to monitor how the accuracy of the proposed method can be improved by a correct selection of sample holder properties. Scattering parameter measurements of two tested reference liquids (distilled water and methanol) have been carried out for comparison of various techniques with the proposed one when the reference-planes and sample thickness are not precisely known. We note from the comparison that whereas other techniques are seriously affected by imprecise knowledge of both reference-planes and sample thickness, the proposed method removes this restriction.

Power analysis of multilayer structures composed of conventional materials and bi-anisotropic metamaterial slabs

In this paper, we analyze wave propagation properties (transmitted, reflected, and absorbed powers) of composite multilayer structures consisting of bi-anisotropic metamaterial (MM) slabs and conventional isotropic materials. We also separately investigate the propagation properties of bi-anisotropic MM slabs and conventional materials to better interpret the results. We consider two different bi-anisotropic MM slab structures composed of only split-ring-resonators (SRRs) and composing SRRs and a rod. In the analysis, we apply the well-known transfer matrix method to obtain transmitted, reflected, and absorbed powers of the composite structures. From the analysis, we note the following three important results. First, while the transmitted powers from forward and backward directions of the multilayer structure are identical (reciprocal feature), reflected (and absorbed) powers from forward and backward directions of the multilayer structure are different. This difference arises from reflection asymmetric nature of the bi-anisotropic MM slabs. Second, whereas the conventional material loss influences propagation characteristics aside resonance frequencies of bi-anisotropic MM slabs, bi-anisotropic MM loss worsens propagation properties of the multilayer structure at resonance frequencies of these slabs. Third, variations in (or determination of) electromagnetic properties of low-loss thin conventional materials in between two bi-anisotropic MM slabs can be realized at frequencies in which conventional materials demonstrate thickness-resonance effect.

Reference-Plane-Invariant Effective Thickness and Electromagnetic Property Determination of Isotropic Metamaterials Involving Boundary Effects

It is well recognized that near-field effects become dominant when the metamaterial (MM) is in resonance. In addition, any inaccurate information of the location of reference planes, and the effective length can seriously affect the accuracy of retrieved electromagnetic properties of MMs. By considering all these issues, in this research paper, we propose a retrieval method for reference-plane invariant and thickness-independent determination of electromagnetic parameters of MM slabs involving boundary effects. Our method first accomplishes determination of effective length of MMs and calibration-plane factors using scattering parameter measurements, aside the resonance region, of two identical MMs with different lengths. Our method then incorporates near-field effects in accurate retrieval of electromagnetic properties of MMs. The method is verified by scattering parameters simulated for a homogeneous conventional material and a weakly or negligibly coupled inhomogeneous MM slab made by two metallic concentric split-ring-resonators. Consequences of an inaccurate information of reference-plane transformation factors and the value of effective lengths and of noninclusion of near field effects on the retrieved electromagnetic properties are thoroughly discussed by way of few examples to substantiate the accuracy of the proposed method.

An Effective Noncontact Torque Mechanism and Design Considerations for an Evershed-Type Superconducting Magnetic Bearing System

An Evershed type of superconducting magnetic bearing is designed and fabricated. An alternative torque mechanism is proposed to drive the rotor of the designed bearing. The design consideration for the rotor consists of a permanent magnet with 7.5-kg mass and its force interaction with the superconductor defined in terms of a semi-analytical frozen image model. The driving mechanism is based on eddy-current induction on a conducting disk placed on the rotor of the bearing. The driving system is intended not only to sustain stable levitation during the variation of the rotor speed but also to rotate the rotor with a speed higher than that of the torque provider. Levitation, drag, and lift forces are discussed via considering various conditions such as the rotor configuration and conducting material. The thickness of the conductor strongly affects the optimum working conditions of the magnetic bearing. In order to compensate the repulsive force due to lift force on the rotor, the top of the rotor was covered with iron sheet. The results indicate that the designed rotor and driving system have potential solutions for more advanced bearing applications for superconducting flywheel energy storage.

Simple procedure for robust and accurate complex permittivity measurements of low-loss materials over a broad frequency band

In this research paper, we propose a simple procedure for accurate, stable and broadband measurements of complex permittivity of low-loss dielectric samples with considerable lengths. We identify and demonstrate by numerical and analytical analyses the main ill-behaved factor that gives rise to inaccurate peaks for measurements of electrical properties of low-loss samples in the well-known Nicolson–Ross–Weir method. Without using this factor in the expressions and combining better features of the methods available in the literature, the proposed procedure allows highly accurate permittivity measurements over a broad band. We have validated the proposed method by permittivity measurements of a low-loss sample by different methods.